In a world where fast fixes are all the rage and quick trips for a nip and tuck are becoming a norm, The Weekly meets three women with a refreshing take on beauty.
In a world where fast fixes are all the rage and quick trips for a nip and tuck are becoming a norm, The Weekly meets three women with a refreshing take on beauty.
What does it mean to be beautiful? Real beauty is hard to pin down and even harder to define. Standards of beauty the world over are so different but it has become universally accepted that beauty is more than just skin deep. Having fine features and a pleasing appearance do not guarantee that your character is equally as pleasing. It is finding harmony between the two - the body and the soul, the head and the heart - that can elevate a woman from pretty to pretty powerful. Meet three women who have found that balance through their holistic approach to beauty.
'Beauty is about being comfortable in your own skin'
AMY CHENG
Age 46
Creative Director, ACT 3 Theatrics; and Fly Entertainment Artiste
A veteran of the arts, television and theatre scene, Amy Cheng is proof that simplicity is often the key to looking and feeling beautiful. “You can do all the beauty treatments you want, but if you are not a happy person, or aren’t comfortable with who you are then you are just wasting your money,” she says. A true believer in the connection between the emotions, and one’s physicality, Amy can often be found getting back to nature by walking out in the open spaces that Singapore has to offer.
The Mind-Body Connection
“I think ultimately, well-being and health are a big part of beauty. It’s the sense of being comfortable in your skin, taking care of yourself, having acceptance in life, making a connection with others, never stop learning and being able to laugh at things.”
An Evolving Perspective
“As I grow older, I’m finding a certain freedom from not living up to a standard of ‘perfection’ and I am learning to let go of certain things as well, to be replaced by things of more value. I’ve come to be more discerning when it comes to describing someone as beautiful. You can be stunning, but if all you have are insecurities, manipulations or are self-absorbed, you are definitely not beautiful.”
'I feel most beautiful when my heart is happy'
JULIE YOO in her early 30s
Channel News Asia Presenter
It’s a change of scenery to see Julie frolicking out in a garden instead of sitting behind the familiar desk we’ve become accustomed to seeing while watching her deliver the news. Gone are the sombre expressions and austere demeanour. In its place, a shy smile, a friendly burst of laughter and a softer persona. Having been in the business of journalism for over a decade, Julie is no stranger to scrutiny but takes it all in her stride and still finds time to recuperate from the demands of her career.
Under a microscope
“I think that beauty in broadcast journalism is a complicated matter. It is an additional hurdle on top of having to be articulate, wellread and informed. It is certainly hard work, but also challenging and rewarding!”
Striking the right balance
“Presenting six half-hour news bulletins a day can be physically and mentally taxing, so staying in good physical shape helps me to keep fit and refresh my mind. The most efficient ways to keep that balance of body and mind are regular exercise, eating right, and taking time each day to quiet the mind and meditate.“
Beauty from the inside
“I used to think you need a full makeup and nicely done hair to feel beautiful. But as I get older, I feel most beautiful when my heart is happy. I strongly believe that beauty begins in a person’s heart, and that genuine and sincere acts of love and kindness can make someone a beautiful person.”
'Good health is the bearer of beauty'
DR BIANCA PERECHE-GAMBOA
Age 28
Licensed doctor, yoga teacher and fitness influencer
Growing up, it’s fair to say that Dr Bianca Pereche- Gamboa had a curious and inquisitive mind. “As a little girl I used liquorice to colour my lips. Looking back, I guess as a kid I found it economical because it not only gave a red tint to my lips, it tasted sweet too,” she shares. This out-of-the-box approach to life bode well for Bianca who went on to earn her doctorate in medicine. However, the long, arduous 36-hour shifts led her to think about what she really wanted in life. And she took a leap of faith, and hung up her scrubs to pursue a radically different vocation, that of a yoga instructor.
Finding inner peace
“Yoga is my refuge. I find the physical postures may address the fitness aspect but having time to escape, focus on how your body feels and how the breath can calm you is a gift I give myself. I feel the most beautiful after yoga, it’s ironic because this is when I have no makeup on and am drenched in sweat. My endorphins also trigger that ‘euphoric’ state, giving me emotional and mental satisfaction.”
The art of self-care
“As women we are blessed to have multiple roles. An inspiration to other women, a guiding light for the family, a mother, a wife, a daughter. True beauty is reflected in the soul. This, however, should not be an excuse to not care for yourself. We owe it to our loved ones to take care of ourselves, but mostly we owe it to ourselves. It is the effects of good health that bring with it the added bonus of outward beauty. ”
